Closed-loop tACS Modulation for the Core Clinical Features of Drug Addiction

May 8, 2026 updated by: Shanghai Mental Health Center

Individualized Neuromodulation Intervention Techniques for the Core Clinical Features of Drug Addiction

Using specific EEG biomarkers in methamphetamine-dependent individuals, this study systematically probes the effect of closed-loop tACS based on brain states

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) addiction represents a severe public health concern. Individuals addicted to methamphetamine exhibit intense cravings and physiological reactions when exposed to addiction-related cues, a phenomenon termed "cue reactivity." Cue reactivity is a critical factor in the development and persistence of addiction. Impairments in inhibitory control are considered a significant factor contributing to the emergence of cue reactivity. Conventional pharmacological and physical interventions suffer from low efficiency and high effect variance. Closed-loop physical interventions, which adjust stimulation parameters in real-time based on brain state, are an innovative approach with the potential to enhance the precision and efficiency of treatments. Closed-loop interventions based on transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) hold promise as a novel therapeutic method for treating methamphetamine addiction. This study aims to develop and evaluate the effect of closed-loop tACS on cue reactivity and inhibition control function in MUD. Therefore, the investigators intend to employ the non-invasive tACS technique, predicated upon biomarkers of addiction states, to administer specific frequency stimulations to targeted brain regions, aiming to achieve therapeutic objectives in addiction treatment.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

21

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • China
    • Shanghai, Shanghai, China, 200000
      • Shanghai, Shanghai, Shanghai, China, 200000, China
        • Shanghai Mental Health Center

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Individuals aged between 18 and 55 years, irrespective of gender, having completed a minimum of 9 years of education or are capable of effectively cooperating in questionnaire evaluations.

Meet the diagnostic criteria set forth by the DSM-5 concerning the severity of amphetamine-type substance addiction.

A history of utilizing amphetamine-type substances for a duration not less than one year, with a frequency of use of at least once per week.

Consent to actively cooperate in the completion of subsequent follow-up assessments.

Exclusion Criteria:

Severe cognitive functional impairments manifested through a history of head trauma, cerebrovascular diseases, epilepsy, etc., or usage of cognitive enhancement drugs in the past 6 months; an intellectual disability with an IQ score less than 70.

A diagnosis of schizophrenia or other severe mental illnesses as per the DSM-5 criteria.

Abuse or dependence on other psychoactive substances (excluding nicotine) within the past 5 years.

Severe organic diseases that might compromise study participation. Contraindications to tACS, include a history of epileptic seizures or the presence of metallic implants in proximity to the head.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Closed-loop tACS stimulation based on addiction-induced states
In the initial phase of this study, participants will be subjected to individual closed-loop tACS interventions for ten-days intervals. Concurrently, they will be exposed to MA-related cue paradigms to induce brain addiction states, while scalp EEG signals are collected. Stimulation will be initiated only upon identifying specific neural signals associated with MA cues.
Device: Closed-loop tACS stimulation based on addiction-induced states
We conducted a longitudinal controlled study of closed-loop tACS interventions among MA dependents.This involved implementing interventions based on addiction-induced states.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Visual Analog Scale for craving (VAS-Craving)
Time Frame: through study completion, an average of 5 days
The intensity of psychological craving in MA dependents was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale for craving (VAS-Craving), where individuals rated their cravings on a scale from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater levels of craving. The VAS scores were utilized based on two conditions: during a resting state and when subjected to cue induction involving images associated with methamphetamine, serving as the criteria for evaluation.
through study completion, an average of 5 days

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Stop-signal task
Time Frame: through study completion, an average of 5 days
The stop-signal task can indicate executive control capabilities by measuring Stop-signal reaction time (SSRT), Stop-signal delays (SSD), Go-task reaction time (RT), and Success and failure inhibition rates. A lower SSRT value indicates better inhibitory control.
through study completion, an average of 5 days
Obsessive Compulsive Drug Use Scale (OCDUS)
Time Frame: through study completion, an average of 5 days
The Obsessive Compulsive Drug Use Scale (OCDUS) measures the overall craving level within a period from a multidimensional perspective. The scale consists of 13 items and uses a five-point scoring system, with each item scored on a scale of 1 to 5. The higher the total score, the greater the level of craving.
through study completion, an average of 5 days

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Shanghai Mental Health Center

Investigators

  • Study Chair: MIn Zhao, Shanghai Mental Health Center

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

June 30, 2024

Primary Completion (Actual)

June 30, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

June 30, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 6, 2024

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 6, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

June 12, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 13, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 8, 2026

Last Verified

June 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • MZhao-016

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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